Hat-block.



V. M. STRZE'MPKOSKI.

HAT BLOGK.

APPLICATION FILED 311.14, 1910.

Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

2 SHEETS-SHBBT 1.

Wi t Macaw WM/C/b/O as, I WW V. M. STRZEMPKOSKI.

HAT BLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.14,1910.

2 SHEETS-$112M 2.

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Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

FFTCE.

VINCENT M. STRZEMPKOSKI, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN.

HAT-BLOCK.

To all whom itmay concern:

Be it known that I, VINCENT M. STRZEMP- KOSKI, a citizen of the United States, re siding at Milwaukee, county of Milwaukee, and State of Wisconsin, have invented new and useful Improvements in Hat-Blocks, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in hat blocks, and the same is explained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view thereof. Fig. 2 is a top view, part broken away, to show the interior. Fig. 3 is a vertical section, and Fig. 4 is a transverse section drawn at right angles to that shown in Fig. 3, in which figure, a modified form of device is shown for extending the sections of the block.

Like parts are identified by the same refer'ence numerals throughout the several views.

The block proper is formed of several separable sections, preferably comprising two pairs, 2, 2, and 3, 3, each pair being connected together by hinges 4. The opposing ends of the sections 2, 2, and 3, 3, are simultaneously extended by turning the hand wheel 5 in one direction and contracted by turning said wheel in the opposite direction, motion being communicated from said hand wheel 5 to said separable sections through the reversely threaded screws 6, sleeves 7, which screws are rigidly connected with said hand wheel, pivotal pins 8, 8, links 9, 9, pivotal pins 10, 10, and lugs 11, 11. The lugs 11 are rigidly connected with the opposing ends of each pair of sections. Thus it is obvious that when the hat is placed upon the block, said sections may be simultaneously extended or contracted by turning said hand wheel forwardly or backwardly. The opposing ends of the respective pairs of sections 2, 2, and 3, 3, are connected together, as stated, by hinges 4, and said pairs are moved toward and from each other as may be necessary to adjust the block to hats of different lengths or sizes by turning the hand wheel 12. The hand wheel 12 is connected to one pair of said hinged sections, through the screw threaded rod 13 and nut 14, which nut 14 is connected with one pair of said hinged sections. The rod 13 is provided with apair of radial collars 15 and said rod and collars have journal bearings 16 in the supporting base 17, whereby Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed February 14, 1910.

Patented Oct. 17, 1911.

Serial No. 543,682.

as said hand wheel 12 is turned forwardly or backwardly, one pair of said hinge connected sections is moved toward or from the other pair, whereby the block is adjusted to conform to hats of different lengths and sizes, and said sections are adjusted laterally by turning the hand .wheel 5, as previously described. Thus by the two cooperating adjustments, the blocks may be made to fit or conform to all ordinary sizes of hats.

18 is a circular gas burner, which is supported within the convex walls 19 of the several sections, from and by the inlet gas duct 20 and said burner is provided with a plurality of jet apertures 21, through which gas escapes as it is being burned, whereby a flame is projected against the inner wall of the several sections and the same are heated to the required temperature, as the hat is being blocked or pressed.

To prevent the blaze from coming in contact with the hat, I preferably close the space between the opposing ends of the sections by flexible plates of sheet metal 22, which plates are rigidly connected at one side to one of said sections by screws 23, while their opposite sides 24 lap over the joint between the opposing end of said sectionsand are slidably connected with said opposing ends by the screws 25, 25, operating in the elongated slots 26, 26, formed in said plates, whereby the space between the opposite end of said sections will at all times be closed regardless of their adjustment nearer to or farther from each other.

For convenience of operation, I preferably support the base plate 17 upon a plurality of legs 27. To shield the hat, which is being pressed from contact with the blaze, or other excessive heat, I preferably close the space 27 at the top of the block with a sheet of asbestos, or other non combustible material 28, which sheet is loosely supported from the broad upper surface 29 of said sections, in such a manner that it in no way interferes with the movement or adjustment of said sections. For convenience in adjusting said sections from one side of the base plate, a gear wheel 30 may, if desired, be substituted for the hand wheel 5, as shown in Fig. 4, and motion is communicated to said gear wheel from the side of the supporting base through the hand wheel 31, rod 32, and pinion 33. The rod 32 is revolubly supported from the supporting lugs 27 by the journal bearings 34 in the ordinary manner. 4 It will be understood that an electric heater may, if desired, be substituted for the burner 18 and inlet duct 20.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a hat block, the combination of two pairs of separable sections respectively connected together by hinges, centrally supported right and left screws, right and left threaded sleeves operating on said screws, two pairs of links, the contiguous ends of each pair of links being pivotally connected with the outer ends of said threaded sleeves and the opposite diverging ends of the links of each pair being connected with the opposing ends of each pair of sections, a base plate for supporting said sections, and means for simultaneously rotating both of said right and left screws either forwardly or backwardly, whereby said sections are extended or contracted.

2. In a hat block, the combination of two pairs of separable sections respectively connected together by hinges, means for simultaneously applying heat to said several sections, centrally supported right and left screws, right and left threaded sleeves operating on said screws, two pairs of links, the contiguous ends of each pair of links being pivotally connected with the outer ends of said threaded sleeves and the oppo site diverging ends of the links of each pair being connected with the opposing ends of each pair of sections, a base plate for supporting said sections, and means for simultaneously rotating both of said right and left screws either forwardly or backwardly, whereby said sections are extended or 0on tracted.

3. In a hat block, the combination of two pairs of separable sections respectively connected together by hinges, a gas burner located Within the opposing walls of said sections, a duct communicating from the gas supply with said burner, centrally supported right and left screws, right and left threaded sleeves operating on said screws, two pairs of links, the contiguous ends of each pair of links being pivotally connected with the outer ends of said threaded sleeves and the opposite diverging ends of the links of each pair being connected with the opposing ends of each pair of sections, a base plate for supporting said sections, and means for simultaneously rotating both of said right and left screws either forwardly or backwardly, whereby said sections are extended or contracted.

f. In a hat block, the combination of two pairs of separable sections respectively connected together by hinges, centrally supported right and left screws, right and left threaded sleeves operating on said screws, two pairs of links, the contiguous ends of each pair of links being pivotally connected with the outer ends of said threaded sleeves and the opposite diverging ends of the links of each pair being connected with the opposing ends of each pair of sections, a base plate for supporting said sections, a gear wheel carried by said right and left screws, a pinion meshing in said gear wheel, a shaft for supporting said pinion, means for supporting said shaft, and means for manually revolving said shaft from one side of the base plate.

5. In a hat block, the combination of two pairs of separable sections respectively connected together by hinges, a non-combustible shield for closing the top and space between the opposing ends of the sections of the block, whereby the hat is shielded from direct contact with the heat from the heater, centrally supported right and left screws, right and left threaded sleeves operating on said screws, two pairs of links, the contiguous ends of each pair of links being pivotally connected with the outer ends of said threaded sleeves and the opposite diverging ends of the links of each pair being connected with the opposing ends of each pair of sections, a base plate for supporting said sections, and means for simultaneously rotating both of said right and left screws either forwardly or backwardly, whereby said sections are extended or contracted.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

VINCENT M. STRZEMPKOSKI.

IVitnesses:

I. D. BREMER, O. R. ERWIN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C. 

